I knew Marietta was the right school for me the minute I walked onto the brick mall in the center of campus and saw how vibrant and energetic the atmosphere was. When I toured the athletic training room and met Sam (Crowther) and the rest of the faculty I could sense the close-knit environment of the department and knew I would fit in right away. Other schools I looked at didn’t have the same “feel” and were not centered around the development of the “entire student.”

Favorite Marietta moment?

My favorite Marietta moment was when I was working as an Athletic Training student with football and we beat Otterbein who was ranked No. 7 in the country. We had been having a difficult year and to see the guys’ faces after winning that game is something I will never forget.

Describe what life was like during your time at Marietta College.

Being in the Athletic Training program I spent a lot of hours in the training room and with my assigned athletic team, which varied by semester. We would have our classes in the mornings and report to our sports in the afternoon. This would make for long days and weekend commitments. It was always interesting trying to squeeze in study hours and made for some long nights but we learned how to become more responsible and self-reliant. Through those long hours the athletic training majors spent a lot of time together at practices, competitions and road trips. We had a really close group and functioned very much like a family. We developed lifelong friendships and they are still some of my best friends to this day. I lived in the dorms all four years and some of my best memories are from hanging out with my suitemates and getting to know everyone in the college community. I had a great experience living on campus and got to know so many unique individuals from diverse backgrounds. Whether it was eating in the dining hall everyday, checking my mail, or getting a work out in at Dyson Baudo, I got to the know the staff and College community really well and it made my experience all the more enjoyable.

What impact did Marietta College have on your career?

Marietta College allowed me to not only gain the knowledge and tools to become a certified athletic trainer, but also the lifelong skills of being a person of character and compassion. Because I was able to have such a great relationship with faculty and staff with a totally open-door atmosphere, I was always able to go to them for advice about anything and everything. College is a time of change for students and the atmosphere of Marietta allowed me to grow into the person I am today. The other great aspect about Marietta is that you are considered a Pio for life and the resources of the community will always be available whenever, wherever. I still routinely talk to my professors and check in with them for advice when needed, and they continue to help me in my career today.

What does it mean to be a Pioneer?

To me, being a Pio is all about pride and selflessness. We have such a diverse tight-knit community of alumni and students who share a pride in their school that is unrivaled. I still routinely check on how the athletic teams are doing and talk to my friends and staff who are in the loop. Whenever I can help out, I want to be able to continue to give back and that’s a common theme of Marietta grads.

Founded in 1835, Marietta College is a private, liberal arts college located in southeast Ohio. Consistently ranked among the top Midwestern schools by U.S. News and World Report, Princeton Review and others, Marietta College's small and diverse student body enjoy opportunities rarely found at other liberal arts schools.